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Throat swabs

Throat swabs

Overview

A throat swab can be used to determine if Group A Streptococcus bacteria is the cause of pharyngitis in a patient.

Review Date 3/16/2024

Updated by: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor in Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.